The MTA board meetings to hear what the public thinks about fare increases is in full swing now. The only problem is that the board isn't showing up.
Plenty of New Yorkers are coming to voice their concerns about how devastating the increase will be. Dozens of politicians have spoken up, talking about giving the MTA what it needs at the state level. The MTA's response is to act like they are tone-deaf. Sure, Hemmerdinger says they aren't, but actions speak louder than words.
From The Daily News:
MTA board member attendance at last week's fare-hike hearings was a dismal 50% or less - with as few as two of the 16 voting members turning up to listen to riders' concerns, a Daily News review shows.
Last Monday in Brooklyn, six Metropolitan Transportation Authority voting members showed up to listen to riders upset by proposed fare and toll hikes - the third since 2003.
Wednesday in Queens, only three of the bigwigs were there.
Thursday in Manhattan, five voting members were present.
The chairs weren't empty. The dais was filled with top MTA staffers, including NYC Transit President Howard Roberts, and board members who don't vote.
So not only did they not bother to show up in significant numbers, they tried fooling the public on top of it. Now that takes real class, for all of them. I don't care if Nancy Shevell is bothered by the press coverage surrounding her new Beatles love. She is responsible to the people of New York first, her ego can come second. The rest of the truants have no excuse either.
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